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Laramie Movie Scope:
Lady in the Water

A strangely uplifting modern fairy tale

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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September 19, 2006 -- “Lady in the Water” is a whimsical, surprisingly heartfelt fairy tale that comes off as a kind of urban legend or a myth. The story involves a collection of weary, downtrodden, care-worn people who have lost all hope. Through an encounter with a magical being, and after passing a trial, they are born again with a renewed hope for better things in the future. This film couldn't come at a better time. If ever there was a need for hope, it is now. If ever there was a time for a story about love, compassion, mercy and generosity it is now at a time in our history when the world seems to be filled with hatred and violence born of fanaticism.

The central figure in the story is a lowly apartment building repairman, Cleveland Heep (Played by Paul Giamatti of “Sideways.” What kind of name is that?). Heep sees someone swimming in the pool after hours and calls her out. It turns out to be a Narf, a kind of water nymph. This Narf, named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard of “The Village”) has come to the world to act as a muse to a writer. After inspiring the writer to write a book that will change the world, Story needs to get back to her people. She and Heep must locate this author, along with a healer, a protector, a prophet and a strange group of people who are sort of like a Greek chorus.

Heep, who knows everyone in the apartment building, tries to find these key characters, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, using an old fairy tale to provide clues. It is sort of like a scavenger hunt. In addition to finding these people, Heep and his rag-tag group of helpers must find a way to protect Story for her journey back to her people. A monster is lurking outside the apartment building, waiting to kill Story before she can get away. As the people are assembled, they begin acting cooperatively and acting on faith that they can help Story complete her mission and her journey home.

The story reminds me of a Stephen King book called “It” (made into a TV movie). In this book, a similar group of outcasts come together to fight a terrible evil monster. Each member of the group has a special skill, but only by working together can they defeat this evil. “Lady in the Water” has a similar story. It is very inward-looking. It is about finding one's purpose in life. It is about hope, kindness, healing and courage. One character explains it this way: he says he wants to be like a child again in order to regain the hope he had then. There has always been a tension between those who find wisdom in the faith of children and those who advocate putting away childish things. They would deny their inner child. This film is on the side of faith and children.

Writer-director F. Night Shyamalan has always favored faith over reason in his films. The heroes of his films are those who go against the conventional wisdom, who pursue a path that doesn't seem reasonable. It is much the same in this film. One notable figure in the film who goes against the grain is a movie critic, Harry Farber, played by Bob Balaban (“Gosford Park”). Farber, a cynical snob with a vast knowledge of movie clichés is dealt with in a way that a lot of directors would like to deal with certain critics. Balaban is wonderful in the role and his final scene in the movie is priceless. I found it funny, but other critics might take offense. Reviews on this film have been mixed, perhaps because of Farber's character. Count me on the positive side. I've not been overly impressed with Shyamalan's last few films, but this one is better. It is nice to see a film with something positive to say about the human condition. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2006 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)